Jackson intersection closing, Monroe reopens in Wacker construction

June 17, 2012 7:17:08 AM PDT

June 15, 2012 (PRESS RELEASE) --

The Jackson Boulevard intersection at Wacker Drive will close Monday as the Chicago Department of Transportation opens the new Monroe Street intersection and begins the final phase of the $300 million Wacker reconstruction project.

Revive Wacker Drive, Part 2, which will completely rebuild and modernize the 60-year-old roadway, remains on schedule to be completed by the end of 2012. The project is modernizing the upper and lower levels of Wacker Drive by creating safer, more efficient roadways for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.

As Jackson closes from Canal Street to Franklin Street, Monroe Street will reopen to all traffic since closing for reconstruction earlier this year. The Adams Street intersection will remain closed into July, and the subsequent closure and reconstruction of the Van Buren Street intersection will begin later this summer.

"Our crews are making significant progress as we continue to meet the ambitious goals of this project," said CDOT Commissioner Gabe Klein. "We look forward to completing construction at the end of the year and introducing Chicagoans and our visitors to a modern, more efficient and safer Wacker Drive."

On Friday, June 22nd, Van Buren between Wells Street and Franklin will become a two-way street for that block to allow for access to westbound I-290 for vehicles headed north on Franklin, which had previously merged with the southbound Wacker Drive ramps.

Later this summer, when Franklin is reopened to traffic from Harrison Street to Van Buren, northbound vehicles will turn east on Van Buren to Wells, then turn south to access I-290. In the previous configuration, there were two I-290 access ramps from Lower Wacker and Franklin that created a dangerous double-merge condition. The new layout will eliminate the Franklin ramp to improve safety for motorists.

Vehicle & Bicycle Impacts East-West Adams and Jackson will be closed to all traffic. Monroe will reopen to eastbound traffic. Van Buren will remain open to westbound traffic.

North-South Franklin will remain open to two-way traffic to accommodate vehicles detoured from north-south Wacker. Northbound traffic will continue to use Canal for an alternate route. Lower Wacker Drive will remain open for local access only.

Pedestrian Impacts East-West Jackson, Van Buren, Adams and Monroe will all open to pedestrian traffic, with Jackson and Adams utilizing temporary sidewalks to traverse Wacker.

North-South Pedestrians will continue to use Canal and Franklin for north-south travel.

All buildings and businesses near the construction zone will remain open and accessible throughout the project. Please visit www.wackerdrive.org to view the pedestrian and building access map for complete details.

Public Transit CDOT is partnering with the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) to ensure both public transportation and traffic flow as smoothly as possible. Bus re-routes will be available on the CTA's website, www.transitchicago.com/wacker

Metra will be making announcements on its trains and will have pedestrian detour information at its transportation centers.